GENERAL
Capital
Ouagadougou.
Geography
According to physicscat, Burkina Faso is located in West Africa and borders Mali to the north and west, Niger to the east, Benin to the southeast and Togo, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to the south. While the north is dry, the southern part of the country is a little more rainy and consists of wooded savannah, which turns into sand and desert towards the north. The Sahara is shifting ever further south and threatening the narrow strip of farmland. The plains are traversed by the Mouhoun, Nazinon and Nakambé rivers.
Government
Presidential republic since 1960. Constitution of 1991, last amendment in 2000. Representation of the people (Assemblée des Députés Populaires) with 111 members. Independent since 1960 (former French colony), until 1984 Republic of Upper Volta.
Head of state
Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, since December 2015.
Head of government
Paul Kaba Thieba, since January 2016.
Electricity
220 V, 50 Hz.
Time zone
Greenwich Mean Time: CET -1
LANGUAGE
Overview
The official language is French. More and Dioula are also spoken. Partly English and Arabic.
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
On official occasions you wear a suit, otherwise only a shirt and tie are appropriate. Most officials wear national clothes. The business language is French; Interpreting services are available.
Business hours: Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-12.30 p.m. and 3 p.m.-5.30 p.m.
Economy
Chambre de Commerce, d’Industrie et d’Artisanat du Burkina (Chamber of Industry and Commerce)
Avenue de Lyon, 01 BP 502, BF-Ouagadougou 01
Tel: (050) 30 61 14.
Internet: www.ccia.bf
Business contacts
Chambre de Commerce, d’Industrie et d’Artisanat du Burkina (Chamber of Industry and Commerce)
Avenue de Lyon, 01 BP 502, BF-Ouagadougou 01
Tel: (050) 30 61 14.
Internet: www.ccia.bf
COMMUNICATION
Phone
International direct dialing.
Cellphone
GSM 900. The main network operators are Celtel Burkina Faso (Internet: www.bf.celtel.com/fr/index.html or www.msi-cellular.com), Onatel (Internet: www.onatel.bf) and Telecel Faso SA (Internet: www.telecelfaso.bf). The transmission and reception area covers the largest places in the country. Cell phones can be rented on site for a high deposit. More information from Onatel. Roaming contracts exist.
Internet
Internet and e-mail access is available in some hotels and in internet cafes in major cities. Internet providers are FasoNet and Cenatrin. Due to frequent power outages, there may be disabilities in using the Internet.
Post Office
There are only a few post offices, but stamps are also available in hotels. Poste restante shipments are possible, a fee will be charged for collection. Mail delivery is unknown, correspondence for all authorities and offices is addressed to a post office box. Airmail to Europe takes up to 2 weeks. Opening times: Mo-Fr 7.30 a.m.-12.30 p.m. and 3.00 p.m.-5.30 p.m. The Ouagadougou main post office is open Monday-Saturday 8.30 a.m.-12.00 p.m. and 3.00 p.m.-6.30 p.m.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
You can trade in the markets. Popular souvenirs include wooden figures, bronze items, masks, leather goods, jewelry, fabrics, hand-woven blankets and all kinds of handicrafts. Shop opening times: Mon-Sat 8 am-2pm and 4pm-5pm. Some shops also open on Sundays. Markets are held every day in the larger cities.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
Ouagadougou has nightclubs with music and dancing and open-air cinemas for evening entertainment. There are both open-air and covered cinemas with air conditioning.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
There are hotels with air conditioning and other facilities such as swimming pool and tennis courts in Ouagadougou, Bobo Dioulasso. There are also comfortable guest houses and lodges as well as bungalows in the Arly National Park. Further information from the Direction du Tourisme et de l’Hôtellerie (see addresses).
Categories: The government assigns 1-4 stars depending on the equipment and services.
CULTURE
Religion
40% followers of natural religions, 50% Muslims and 10% Christians (mostly Catholics).
Social rules of conduct
French customs and traditions prevail in the cities. Clothing can be casual and adapted to the hot weather. More elegant clothing is expected on special occasions. In the country, the way of life has changed little over the centuries; visitors should respect local customs and traditions. Tip: Service is usually included in the bill (10-15%). However, taxi drivers, hotel employees and porters expect a tip.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Tropical. The best travel time is between November and March. The Harmattan wind between November and February brings dry and cool weather. The hot season March – May followed by the main rainy season (June – October). High rainfall in the southwest, lower in the northeast.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +226 Area (sqkm) 274200 Population 18931686 Population density (per sqkm) 69 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 17
